Another protein skimmer question...
 

Should the output on my protein skimmer be so strong that it creates a "bell fountain"? The splashing is creating microbubbles in my display.

The outputs are usually strong and usually aimed against a sump wall to minimize splashing. When you say "bell" fountain.. Do you mean that the output goes straight up?
[IMG]http://www.thatpetplace.com/images/presentation/P42087.jpg[/IMG]

If so, there should be a 90 bend there.

Yes, I do. Do you mean to say that I can bend the output down?!?!

The output tube should be draining down, not up.

So that we are on the same page....... The output meaning flow back to the tank or the flow into the waste cup.

I guess its the waste cup.. The flow should be adjusted so that the bubbles break just at the top of the cylinder. It will start collecting and then pushed over the edge into the cup.

I don't think mine will do that. The output height controls the height of the bubbles in the skimmer.

maybe its called a riser tube sometimes. i have a octopus 150.

It is adjustable so you can adjust to height of the bubbles

[IMG]http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=47&image=0[/IMG]

My output goes up too, I have an ASM (G3) skimmer.

Mine makes the 'bell fountain' effect too.

So do you have substantial outflow at the output? Mine seems like it is too much, but I might be wrong. It looks kinda like the picture he posted of a fountain but it is not that wide of a "bell".

OK, good. Well at least I know I'm not doing something wrong. I guess I'll just have to play around with things to get the microbubbles out. Thanks everybody.

What type of skimmer do you have?

Octopus 150...link above. Its a beast for my 10 gallon sump!

i got the same problem so how do you get the bubles out of the display, i got g3 skimmer, and the return tube adjust the height of the bubles in the skimmer

i had a skimmer like that and i just found a 90 and a tee and some pipe that was close to the same size and ran it back down with the tee acking as a vent, makes it quieter and helps with bubbles/splashing. just shorten your standpipe to accomodate for it being taller, you can cut it if you have to, but you shouldnt have to